Square Footage - Understanding What's Included!

When comparing homes that are very similar in style, location, and level of finish, it is helpful to use square footage as a comparison factor. Real estate listings qualify square footage in a variety of ways: heated square feet, finished square feet, heated living area, unfinished square feet, unheated square feet, just to name a few! Depending on the region of the country, the terminology varies even more. In Florida, for example, you may encounter ACSF (air conditioned square feet.) It can become a bit confusing!

There are standard real estate guidelines used by realtors and appraisers for defining and measuring square footage in a home. Advertised square footage in real estate ads or on the multi-listing service should adher to these guidelines. Knowing these guidelines will help sellers understand how their home is measured, and will help buyers understand what is included in advertised square footage.

First of all, Finished Living Area is space intended for human occupancy. It must be heated by conventional, permanent systems. (Portable heaters would NOT qualify.) It must have floors and ceilings made of materials generally accepted for interior construction. Finally, it must be directly accessible from another finished area. If you had a finished laundry room only accessible from the garage, for instance, it would not be counted in finished living area. An enclosed porch would not be counted unless it had a permanent heating system.

Square footage for a home is calculated based on exterior walls. If possible, one measuring a home would measure the outside of a home, then subtract any unfinished areas (such as an attached garage). Sometimes it is not possible to measure from the outside, and so interior measurements are made. In these cases, the standard is to add 6" for an exterior wall, and 4" for an interior wall to calculate total square footage.

To qualify as living space, the ceiling height must be at least 7 feet. Often in bonus rooms or A-frames, upper level rooms have slanted roofs. In this case, only areas with at least 5' high ceilings are counted, as long as at least half of the room has a minimum of 7' ceiling. Any portion of the room with less than 5' ceiling is not counted in living area square footage.

Hallways, closets, and pantries are counted if they are part of the functional living space. If the furnace, water heater, or similar items are located within a small closet within the living area, that square footage is counted. However, if the furnace, etc. are in an unfinished "mechanical room" in the garage or basement, that area is not counted in finished living area.

Unfinished square footage should include those areas that are under roof and could be finished out for additional living space. This definition usually includes unfinished basements, or unfinished rooms above a garage (as long as it is accessible by a permanent staircase). A garage should NOT be included in the "unfinished living area". Generally, unfinished square footage descriptions should be clarified in the "comment/remarks" section of a listing.

If you have questions about the square footage calculations used on a property, ask your real estate agent for clarification. Finally,remember that cost per square foot is just one measure. Level of finish, upgrades (granite countertops, whirlpool tubs, etc.), condiditon of the home, location and/or view, and other qualitative measures need to be considered as well.


For all of your real estate needs, visit Lake Wylie Real Estate for property searches, newcomer information, community links, and virtual tours.

Negotiating on a New Construction

Have you ever been in the market for a new home, and found one that was almost perfect, but not quite close enough? Perhaps the carpet or flooring wasn't quite what you had in mind. Or the light fixtures just weren't your style. Maybe the dining room was too small, and if you could just remove the wall and open it up to the living area, it would be fine.

The truth is, when you're buying a house, everything is negotiable! The builder may, if requested, be willing to make structural or cosmetic modifications to change the house to fit your needs. I've seen builders move walls, open up areas, add walls to separate an oversized bonus room into two smaller rooms, change the direction of staircases, and more.

Light fixtures? Easy. Add some built-in bookcases? Can do. Turn the deck into a screened porch? Why not. Add a basement? Well . . . that one might be tricky. Within reason, the builder may be willing to change things that you may think are fairly major. Of course, the cost to make the changes are quite negotiable as well. We're in a buyer's market right now. There are over 200 new homes on the market in Lake Wylie area alone.

While there are many homes to choose from, sometimes it is difficult to get everything you want: school district, yard size, bedroom configuration, neighborhood amenities. Decide what's most important to you. Then, when you find a house that is close to your specifications, don't be afraid to ask for modifications, if it makes the difference between "deal" and "no deal." Before you stop considering a home because of its "imperfections", have your realtor discuss any concerns you might have with the seller. Ask the builder if those hindrances can be overcome by modifications. Most builders, you will find, can be very accomodating!

It is very helpful to the builders to hear your feedback. They'd MUCH rather consider making changes, rather than have buyers simply disappear.

Visit my website for more Lake Wylie Real Estate Buyer Resources. You can also search for all real estate in Charlotte and surrounding areas. For all of your real estate needs, call on The Lake Wylie Man!

2008 Waterfront Sales - A Year in Review

What can we say? 2008 was a year to develop patience . . . patience as we recovered from a record-breaking drought, followed by what can only be described as a "crisis" in the mortgage industry, followed by crazy gas prices like we've NEVER seen before, followed by economic challenges that we haven't experienced in years.

Number of homes sold on Lake Wylie were down 43% vs 2007, and number of waterfront lots sold was off by 60%. Properties that DID sell stayed on the market twice as long as the average waterfront property sold in '07. Not exactly a year for a realtor's "brag book"!

And yet . . . even in the midst of storms, rainbows do appear. Did you know that of the Lake Wylie waterfront homes sold in 2008, twenty percent (10 homes) were $1 million+ properties? That's a record, folks! As a comparison, in 2007, MLS reported only 9% (8 homes) sold for over $1 million.

More good news - - with the drop in mortgage rates and price adjustments on some of the properties for sale, fourth quarter sales began to bounce back, doubling the number of waterfront properties sold in 4th quarter 2007!

Buyers have never had so many lakefront properties from which to choose. There are currently 175 building lots and 117 waterfront homes listed on MLS! There is a good selection of lots under $300,000, with the majority of lots listed for between $300k and $450k. Homes listed are at a nice variety of price points, from the "summer places" for under $500k, up to the waterfront estates over $1 million.

The lake looks gorgeous right now, with water levels at "full pond" and rain conditions back to normal. Gas prices are manageable, back to rates where people feel like they can take the boat out on a warm spring day without breaking the bank.

All in all, we're very blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Lake property will continue to be a solid investment and just a wonderful way to live. Please visit my website, http://www.thelakewylieman.com/, and see what's offered on Lake Wylie right now. Let me know if I can be of service to you!

David Coone

The Lake Wylie Man

For more blogs on Lake Wylie living, Lake Wylie real estate, and resources for waterfront homeowners, visit my website!

Waterfront Sales Update - December '08

A tough year for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate is drawing to a close. With economic uncertainty, wild stock market swings, and challenges within the mortgage and banking industry, we've certainly had a year like no other in recent memory!

Number of waterfront homes sold on Lake Wylie is down 45% vs 2007; vacant lot sales are down 64%. Currently there are listed 160 waterfront lots for sale on the Charlotte MLS, and only 17 listed lots have sold this entire year to date! Of those that have sold this year, most have been "premium" lots (priced over $400,000). In fact, the average price paid for a waterfront lot in 2008 was $417k- - quite a jump from recent years. This can partly be explained by a reduction in lots bought by builders for spec homes - - usually lots priced under $400k. Builders have had a tough time getting loans for spec property with the tightening of the mortgage market.

Waterfront sales for homes have actually seen an increase in average price paid as well - - up 10% from 2007. About 20% of the homes reported sold on MLS were priced over $1mm, the most ever in a year.

On the other end of the spectrum, many buyers have been "bargain hunters" in 2008. Excluding new construction, final price paid for waterfront homes in 2008 was just 83% of the original asking price. Foreclosures and short sales have definitely had an impact on lake sales

this year.

Buyers have been cautious, taking their time and looking at more properties. Internet activity on my website (buyers searching) has been strong, but there's no rush to commit. It pays to be ready on both the buying and the selling side, however. Great waterfront properties are always in demand, and when priced properly, they WILL sell. Several homes that have sold this year were on the market less than a month! Check out my website to see Recent Lake Wylie Real Estate Sales.

If you're in the market to buy or sell, let me know if I can be of service to you. Especially in these market conditions, having a waterfront specialist will make all the difference!

Thanks for reading my blog. Visit my website for advice on What to Look For in Lake Wylie Waterfront Property, Lake Wylie real estate search, and virtual tours for Lake Wylie property.

Lake Wylie Waterfront Sales Update thru 7/31/08

As summer begins to wind down, it’s a good time to take a look at what’s happening with Lake Wylie real estate sales. With all of the media headlines, it should come as no surprise that the waterfront real estate market is challenging this year! Despite the decline in sales overall, there are a few positive news items to report:

• Average price for homes on the lake are actually UP year to date: $834k vs $721k in 2007! (That doesn’t mean that the price on the average house has jumped 15%, by the way - - the increase comes from more sales at higher price points.)
• To date in 2008, eight homes have sold for over $1 million. That compares to six homes during the same period in 2007.
• 27% of waterfront homes sales were in the $1mm+ category in 2008 so far. In 2007, only 11% of homes sold had sales prices over $1 million. Likely explanation – the mortgage crunch is hitting the mid-market ($500-999) the hardest.
• Waterfront lot sales in new developments (Hands Mill, Somerset at Autumn Cove) are hitting the radar. Four lots have closed in Hands Mill, with a couple more pending. Several lots are pending sale in Lake Wylie’s new Somerset at Autumn Cove development.

Now that I’ve dazzled you with the good news, I’ll present the data that is not quite so rosy. In fact, year to date sales for waterfront homes are down 55% year-to-date, and waterfront lots are down 60%.

What we’re seeing on the lake this year, mainly, are “bargain hunters”. Aggressive price cuts are being seen both on and off the lake. I was driving through a new development (homes in the $400-$500’s) a couple of weeks ago, and signs were everywhere advertising “$50,000 price reduction!”. On the lake, homes this summer have sold for 84% of their original asking price. In some cases, homes were simply priced too high at first. In other cases, sellers needed to move the property.

During June and July 2008, 16 waterfront homes sold on Lake Wylie. Those homes had been on the market for an average of 217 days, and sold for 84% of original price. Contrast that with 2007, when 25 homes sold, 90% of original price, and days on market just 104.

For undeveloped waterfront lots, the story is much the same. Year-to-date, lots are selling at just 81% of original price, and have been on the market an average of 420 days, significant declines in performance vs previous year. Only two lots sold in June/July of 2008, for 75% of original price. The waterfront lot market has been affected by a cutback in sales to builders (as their current inventory is too high), tightening of the mortgage market, and general economic factors.

Conclusion? If you need to sell, price your property as aggressively as you can. It helps if you price it right coming out of the chute. Properties that sold for less than 90% of original price were on the market an average of 254 days. Properties that sold for more than 90% of original price were on the market just 104 days (less than half!).

If you want to buy, there are some excellent values on Lake Wylie right now. Call me or visit my website for a complete selection.

To read more blogs about Lake Wylie real estate, please visit my website, http://www.thelakewylieman.com/! Call David Coone at 803-493-2924

Source: Source for chart data: Charlotte MLS, sales as reported 1/1/08 thru 7/31/08.

Waterfront Sales Update - Early Summer '08

June 5, 2008 - Lake Wylie Waterfront Sales Update

The heat of the summer certainly hit us this week, and traditionally waterfront sales are hot this time of year as well. Last year at this time, 40 waterfront homes and 18 waterfront lots had already sold. This year? Ten homes, 8 lots. Everything from gas prices to election news to mortgage issues have affected our Lake Wylie real estate marketplace. In addition, real estate slumps in other markets have slowed down our sales to out-of-towners, as they are unable to sell their homes and move.

I realize that the market conditions are disconcerting. When we look at properties that HAVE sold, it’s natural to ask, “Why not me?” (I think that was the name of a country song a few years back.)

I’ve taken a good, hard look at what has been selling in recent months, and have made some observations that I want to share with you.

- Most of the homes that have sold so far in ‘08 have either been “bargains” or new construction. Half sold for less than 90% of original price. Four of those were under 80%!
- Days on the market is 31% higher this year.
- However, for homes priced “right” (sold for 90%+ of asking price), DOM has improved!
- Sales for waterfront lots are also down significantly vs. year ago. The lots that have sold in ’08 have sold for reduced prices, and were on the market for over a year.

Conclusion? Price it right, and hang tight. The market will turn around; it always does. Price is definitely an issue this year, and needs to be aggressive if you want to sell quickly. Please call me if you have questions or would like to discuss strategies for your property!

To read more blogs about Lake Wylie real estate, please visit my website, http://www.thelakewylieman.com/!

Source: Source for chart data: Charlotte MLS, sales as reported 1/1/08 thru 5/31/08.

Rock on, Rock Hill!

Census estimates released in early July show that Rock Hill is now the fourth-largest municipality in South Carolina. Population is approaching 65,000, and has grown 56% since 1990.

Other Rock Hill stats:
Median age 32
Median HH income $56,432
Median home price $135,287
College educated - 55%
# Restuarants - 998
Growth rate from 2006 to 2007 - 5.4%

Other towns in York County:
Fort Mill's growth rate from 2006 to 2007 was 7.2%, second in the state only to Bluffton (near Hilton Head).
Clover's growth rate - 6.1%. Of course, that was before the mighty Clover Eagles captured first place in the SC state football championships.

It's a great place to live!

For Lake Wylie, Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and Tega Cay Events and Activities please visit my website, TheLakeWylieMan.com. Your source for Lake Wylie waterfront real estate and more!